Sun, 22 Nov 2009 15:00:21 +0000 ross@runnerspace.com (Ross) 60 http://www.runnerspace.com/members/avatar/1337.jpg Congrats to Hal, Ian and the entire crew at Rogue Valley Runners for hosting another awesome trail marathon this year.  I love this race... the trails are spectacular and the organization is flawless.  Max King is a very worthy National Trail Marathon Champion coming back only six days after running nycM!  He kind of embodies the spirit of mountain running with his passion for putting in the miles. 

]]> Mon, 09 Nov 2009 16:04:00 +0000 Hal Koerner is on the cover of UltraRunning magazine this month and it was great to see his specialty running store (www.roguevalleyrunners.com) in the heart of downtown Ashland last Saturday.  Hal and his staff of trail running fanatics put on a great race that was true to his mountain running ethos!  Hal, correct me if I'm wrong but it was about 7 miles straight uphill to the snowline where we ran for another ten miles before rocketing back down the mountain and through town to the finish.  I had a blast... my pace wavered between ten minutes and six minutes per mile depending on the trail conditions and I made it back in 3:22.  Just in time for the post race luncheon of burritos and beer!  An obligatory stop at Starbucks before leaving town, a drive through Wildlife Safari and Mexican food with friends in Roseburg rounded out a perfect weekend.  

]]> Tue, 11 Nov 2008 16:06:00 +0000 It was great to see the Joe Henderson Marathon Team complete the 2008 Portland Marathon... I've witnessed their dedication and hard work every Sunday morning for the last several months.  There is certainly a great feeling of challenge, adventure and accomplishment that all marathoners share.  Doesn't matter if it's your first or one hundred and first marathon, doesn't really matter if it takes two and a half hours or four and a half hours.  All serious runners who have put in the work get to share the accomplishment.  As for my own race, it went like this:  I was pacing my buddy Jill at her requested 7:00 pace but early on it was obviously not a good day for her so she told me to go ahead.  I had the infamously fast but retired Lucinator bring me along at about 6:45 pace until 19 when she stopped for a few donuts at Wifey's aid station and a ride to the finish.  I slowed to 7:30 pace over the last five miles and lost my chance for a sub three hour time and cruised in at 3:04.  I jogged back to my hotel for a shower and a nap before heading out for what must have been the biggest lunch I've ate in years.  It was a fun day in Portland.

]]> Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:26:00 +0000 The King of the Mile, Morrocan Superstar Hicham El Guerrouj visited with me today at the Eugene Running Company.  It was quite a thrill to meet the person many consider to be the greatest middle distance runner that has ever lived.  Hicham is the World Record holder in the mile and 1500m, a four time World Champion and double Olympic Gold Medalist.  Hicham El Guerrouj has a serious interest in sports marketing and business and is furthering his personal education on the topic.  I was impressed with his humility, grasp of the English language and sincerity as we discussed the business of Running Specialty.  I have no doubt Hicham will conquer the business world with the same success that has characterized his athletic achievements. 

]]> Fri, 03 Oct 2008 14:49:00 +0000 Well, it was great fun as usual.  I tell my running partners it's a life affirming experience, but somehow it just sounds corny.  I've never started a race like this at such a slow pace, and I've never finished a race like this at such a fast pace.  At least not within the past 25 years or so.  Being a little light on prep work, I took it out real easy, got stuck in a single track train with many other runners which forced me to go even slower than had planned for the first hour or so.  It ended up just fine though, and probably helped me becuase I felt great the whole way and ran my fastest miles from 40 to 50K.  I did a little biff at 29 miles which made me think I better not press my luck too much but I did hammer it home and that always feels good.  My time was 4h30m and change which is about 15 minutes faster than last time so I'm calling it a success.  After I soaked in the river for a bit I drove straight to Cafe Yumm for lunch, then home for a nap. 

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